Pro play enhances Plouffe’s skill set
Edmonton will always be home for Michelle Plouffe, but she’s certainly found a second home playing professional basketball in France.
The former Harry Ainlay star and Team Canada small forward just wrapped up her fourth straight year in France and she’s coming off an MVP-calibre season with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre.
The two-time Olympian is back in her hometown taking part in Team Canada’s first phase of their assessment camp at the Saville Community Sports Centre as they prepare for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain on Sept. 22-30.
Team Canada will host Turkey in the Edmonton Grads Invitational tournament at the Saville Centre on July 4-7.
“I had my best season last year. I was confident and I fit well in the system we ran. I’m comfortable playing and living in France,” said Plouffe. “It helps me when I meet people outside of basketball, because it keeps me from thinking all about basketball. Basketball is a huge part of my life, but when I can get connected with other things through other people, it helps me on the basketball court because I can get a release in other ways.”
Plouffe averaged 14 points and 10.6 rebounds with Tarbes and finished second in team scoring just behind fellow French League MVP and Team Canada teammate Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe.
Coming off her best season as a pro, Plouffe is ready to take on a larger role with the national team, especially with the retirements of Shona Thorburn, Tamara Tatham and Lizanne Murphy after the 2016 Olympics.
“I’ve had more of a leadership the last two years,” said Plouffe. “One of the biggest things I bring is my ability to communicate on and off the floor. Especially when we have a lot of younger players coming in, I want to make their transition comfortable for them.
“We had some veterans who have been part of this team who are no longer with us, and it was time for me to step up. I’m playing a bigger role on and off the court, and I’m excited.”
Plouffe has played for three different clubs in France over the last four years and next season she’s signed to play for Lyon, one of the top teams in the French League.
Her time spent playing pro in France the last four years has been a key in her development with Team Canada.
Her game is getting better and her role with Canada’s national team is growing.
“She’s had tremendous success in the French League and every year her production and efficiency go up. She’s been to two Olympics now, and we’re excited to see how she grows into this role,” said Team Canada head coach Lisa Thomaidis.
“Her time is now. Especially with some small forwards moving on and retiring. She’s a bit of a tweener. She has the skill set of a (small forward), but the size of a (power forward) and we need to take advantage of that.
“She has an opportunity to solidify her role. Especially in these next three games against Turkey, we’re going to be looking at her to be a veteran presence and offence force.”
A large contingent from the women’s national program are playing pro in France.
Over the last several years, France has become a great landing spot for many of Canada’s top women’s players as they continue to develop their game at the professional level.